Chapter 73

Author's Note: So sorry for the delay of this chapter. For those of you who are still following this story thank you so very much for your patience. This is the last chapter of this story under its Rendezvous title.

"Glen I don't think we should be bothering Spencer. She said she didn't want a bachelorette party," Clay whined.

"Bachelor party bro not bachelorette… we are men!" Glen exclaimed beating his chest. "And it don't matter what Spencer didn't want, the only thing she wants is to be under Ashley, literally. So we are gonna make her have this party," he happily said. "It's only fair we give Spencer a party, Ashley is having a bridal shower which Christine insisted she have. So we are gonna do the same thing for Spencer."

"What's that… insist she have one?" Clay joked.

"Damn straight now come on it's time to put Operation Get Down and Dirty into

action."

"Glen, Spencer is not going to get down and dirty," Clay admonished.

Glen rolled his eyes at his brother, "of course not but we are."

"Bro did you forget that I'm married… to Chelsea?"

"Uh no of course not… I'm going to get down and dirty."

"Yeah, you and whoever doesn't turn you down." Clay laughed getting out of the car following his brother, "so what's the plan," Clay asked, as he watched his brother knock several times on their sister's front door. Before Glen could answer Spencer opened the door.

"Hey guys, what are you two doing here?"

"Well we came here to insist," Clay started to say but was interrupted by Glen's actions.

"Spencer… look behind you," he screamed.

"What?" She questioned turning to look behind her. Before she could do anything Glen had tackled his sister to the floor, pulled out a handkerchief to blindfold her then pulled out a pair of handcuffs and proceeded to handcuff her wrists.

"What the hell Glen," Clay exclaimed, "this is your plan to get our sister to her party."

"Glen, Clay," Spencer shouted struggling. "What the fuck, get these handcuffs and blindfold off of me."

"Sorry sis we're taking you to your bachelor… I mean bachelorette party whether you like one or not."

"Clay help me you know I said I didn't want a party," she said struggling.

"Sorry sis what can I do he's my brother."

"And I'm your sister and when I get loose I'm going wring both your necks. Do you hear me," Spencer shouted, as she was being carefully placed in the back seat of Glen's car.

"Relax Spencer, you're gonna have a blast and thank us for it later," Glen said.

"Don't bet on it," Spencer hissed.

/

"Isn't this lovely Ashley," Christine gushed. "I think Spencer would love to see this on you on your honeymoon night."

"Mom!" Ashley said her cheeks red with embarrassment.

"What… It's elegant and sheer enough to leave nothing to the imagination."

"Yes I can see that, it's just it's my mom whose pointing that out to me."

"Well Ashley dear I may not know what you two do but I do know how a honeymoon works and the way Spencer looks at you… well must I say more."

"Oh God," Ashley mumbled covering her redden face with her hands.

"I agree with Christine Ashley, that negligee she's holding and the other three before that were very enticing."

"Paula!"

"And don't forget that sexy black bikini Ashley," Chelsea chimed in.

"Et tu Brute," Ashley said to Chelsea.

"When in Rome, do as the Romans do," Chelsea laughed.

"Thank you for your support Chelsea," Ashley said as Chelsea shrugged her shoulders.

Ashley pulled her phone out of her purse and got up out of her seat to make a phone call.

"And where are you going young lady we still have more outfits to look at."

"I'm going to call Spencer and see how she's doing since you insisted I leave her at home alone to be here."

"No need dear, Spencer's not at home and she's definitely not alone," Paula said.

"What, how do you know that? Where is she and who is she with?" Ashley asked.

"She's with her brothers. They wanted to take her out for her last night of freedom. Their words not mine."

"What? Took her out or giving her the party she insisted they not give her."

"The latter dear," Paula said.

"Oh my God, Spencer is not going to like that. They will have to kidnap her to make her go," Ashley said looking at the three women in front of her. They looked away.

"They're kidnapping her, aren't they?" She stated matter of fact. They all nodded. "Fuck!"

"Language Ashley," Christine admonished.

"But mom you don't understand, Spencer specifically told her brothers… no party."

"Well they said she was breaking tradition by not having a party."

"OMG, it's our wedding day tomorrow and Spencer's going to have a stick up her ass attitude because of 'tradition'." Chelsea giggled.

"Not funny Chels."

"Sorry Ash."

/

"Woohoo, that's it, rock it girl, drop it like it's hot baby," Glen yelled over the music, while gulping down his fifth bottle of beer. Spencer was getting a lap dance from a stripper Glen had hired. She was an attractive petite woman with long curly chestnut hair and dark brown eyes. Most of the people at the party thought she looked a lot like Ashley but not Spencer. After five minutes of the stripper's gyrating hips, Spencer gently pushed the dancer off her lap and thanked her for the dance. Walking over to Glen she whispered, "our parents will be less one child when this is over… bro."

"Come on Spencer loosen up a bit. Don't get your panties in a bunch," Glen joked.

"He's right Spencer your brothers went to a lot of trouble planning this party for you, now relax and enjoy it. You know they mean well," Arthur said.

"Dad they came into my home, cuffed and blindfolded me, forced me to a party I didn't want and had me endure a lap dance, by a stripper who Glen hired who just happened to look like my Ashley in a cheap fucking way."

Arthur chuckled, "reminds me of my bachelor party… back in the day. Enjoy the night Spencer, have a few drinks, dance a little, laugh it up. It will all be over in a few hours."

"A few hours can't come too soon for me. I am so ready for this wedding. You know Christine and mom will not let me see Ashley until tomorrow. What the hell is that?"

"Yes your mother mentioned that to me. It's bad luck for the bride, to see the bride before her wedding she said."

"So where's the honeymoon going to be Spencer?" Clay asked.

"Ashley and I are going back to Spain for a week and visit it the right way. Then we're flying to the family's island home for a week. Then back home and work," Spencer sighed.

"Speaking of work I want to talk to the three of you once this party is over."

"Aw come on dad, I want to drink hard and get laid," Glen whined. Arthur smiled at his son's truthfulness.

"And I guess you feel the same way Clay."

"Well yeah dad I was hoping I could get a lap dance from my wife tonight," Clay smiled.

"Okay we can have a brief meeting at Spencer's loft before they leave for their honeymoon tomorrow."

"What! On my wedding day, no way," Spencer exclaimed.

"Yes Spencer and that's my final word on the matter. We will talk before you leave."

"Okay dad," they all said.

/

Wedding Day…

"Ashley if you pick up that phone one more time I'm going to throw it in the toilet," Christine threatened.

"Mom all I want to do is hear Spencer's voice. I miss her."

"And I'm sure she misses you too dear. Put the phone down and let Mr. Rick finish your hair and makeup."

"Fine," Ashley replied with a pout. "Does anyone know if Spencer is here yet," Ashley asked.

"She's here Ashley," Chelsea chimed in, "and she can't call you cause they took her phone away. But she told me to tell you she misses you and can't wait to say I do." Ashley gave Chelsea her famous crinkled nose smile in response.

"Ms. Ashley pleassse be still, I cannot work with a fidgeting bride to be," Mr. Rick complained.

"My bad," Ashley replied back.

/

"Okay seriously has anyone seen Glen yet?" Spencer asked.

"No he hasn't arrived yet," Clay replied.

"My wedding is less than twenty minutes from starting where the hell is he? He's standing with me and he has the rings."

"He has the rings," Clay mumbled to himself. "Why did you give Glen the rings Spencer?"

"I saw him earlier yesterday before you two creeps came and kidnapped me. He said he would hold on to them for me because he was the best man. That's what the best man does he said so I gave them to him. I should have taken them from him seeing he had gotten completely wasted and sniffing that brunette bimbo last night." Clay laughed.

"Yeah your look alike Ashley. She was really working it and you practically tossed her on her ass," Clay laughed. "I guess she couldn't get one blonde Carlin to play with her so she went after the other."

"I have the real deal, I didn't need a copy. A cheap copy at that."

"A cheap copy of what?" Glen asked walking into the room Spencer and Clay were hold up in until the ceremony began.

"Glen where the hell have you been? Do you realize I'm getting married in ten minutes?"

"Ugh… please tone your shrill down, my head hurts and my ears are ringing."

"Good… and speaking of ringing do you have the rings or did you let that skank copy cat steal them."

"What, what skank?" He thought scratching his head. "Oh you mean Alicia… wow! She ain't no skank, she's a wild cat and she knew just how to scratch my itc…"

"Glen… please spare us the details. If I didn't know better, I'd think you had a thing for my fiancée, anyway do you have the rings." Spencer asked now irritated.

"Spencer I do not have a thing for your fiancée, that's your obsession. I just thought having a lap dance by someone who looked familiar to you would have been fun. And yes I have them, they're right here in my breast pocket," he said patting said pocket and feeling nothing. "Umm…" he checked his vest pocket, nothing. Then he checked his pants pocket.

"Glen! Rings… I know you didn't lose mine and Ashley's rings. Do you know how much those rings cost? Fuck… more importantly Ashley and I had those rings specially made. They are one of a kind."

"Don't worry Spencer I got them." After searching everywhere on his body Glen felt in his tuxedo jacket left pocket and pulled something out. "Tada! See… right here," he happily said, holding them in the palm of his hand.

Spencer grabbed them out of his hand and inspected them. "Glen where is the box they were in?"

"Oh I took them out, it made my jacket look bulky."

"For fucks sake just get me through this wedding and not have to tear my brother apart."

"Hey sweetie just checking to see how you're doing," Arthur asked sticking his head through the open door.

Spencer turned around towards the door, "I'm great dad, now that Glen's here" she said glaring at her brother.

"Good, well it's time to take your places. By the way you look beautiful Spencer."

"Thanks dad." For Spencer's wedding she chose to wear a tailor fitted crème color tux and crème colored stiletto heels, a pink silk vest and tie instead of the traditional wedding gown.

/

"Knock, knock," Raife said as he opened the door to the room where his daughter was in. He gasped at the sight of her. "Wow princess, you look absolutely beautiful."

"Do I really dad?"

"Yes you're gonna make Spencer fall in love with you even more."

"You think so. The dress isn't too much is it since I've been wedded once."

"No sweetheart, the dress is perfect. This wedding should have been your first. I can see total happiness and love in your eyes this time around."

"Thanks dad," Ashley said kissing her father's cheek.

"Okay princess let's get this show on the road, we don't want to keep Spencer waiting any longer." Ashley placed her hand in the nook of her father's arm as he guided her outside where she would soon walk down to be joined hand in hand with her soon to be wife in holy matrimony.

For Ashley's wedding she chose a traditional wedding gown but instead of white it was crème color to match Spencer's tux. It tapered at the waist, flowing softly down to the floor. The bodice was laced covered with a V cut neckline and train.

The wedding and reception was held at Paula's country club. She insisted the wedding be outside under a tent and the reception inside in the largest ballroom that the club had.

Paula was going to make Spencer and Ashley's wedding the social event of the year. Five hundred guests were invited including the media. Arthur watched his wife as she basked in the success of the hard work it took arranging their daughter's wedding.

"Well you should be very proud of yourself right now Paula, so far everything seems perfect." Arthur said standing behind his wife as she looked around admiring her hard work.

"Yes Arthur I'm so happy, everyone who was invited is in attendance and the media is having a field day talking to all the special guests that are here. They will be talking about this wedding for months," Paula replied giddy with excitement.

"Yes, well let's get this wedding started shall we," Arthur said taking his wife's hand and walking her to her seat.

Other than the fact that Spencer literally swooned into Glen and had to be held up for a few minutes due to wobbly legs when Ashley walked down the aisle on Raife's arm and then had to be nudged in the arm by Glen when it came time to say her vows the wedding went off without a hitch. Spencer's excuse was that Ashley was so stunningly breathtaking she couldn't form any words, her beauty made her weak in the knees and very much speechless.

The wedding reception was in high gear, the air was alive with excitement. Drinks were flowing freely, the music was jumping and the guests were partying like it was 1999.

Clang, clang… "attention everyone it's time for the brides first dance together as Mrs. and Mrs. Carlin," the DJ informed. Spencer and Ashley walked hand in hand to the center of the large dance floor and began to dance to the music of Stevie Wonder's You and I.

Spencer looked deeply into Ashley's eyes. "I love you so much Ashley, you are my life… forever and ever," she whispered in her ear holding her tightly as they danced. Ashley had tears in her eyes while gazing into Spencer's eyes.

"I love you too Spencer, with all my heart and soul. I will spend the rest of my life making you happy."

As they continued to dance Raife and Arthur approached them. "Excuse us," Arthur said "may I dance with the blushing bride."

"And I would also like to dance with the blushing bride," Raife said.

"Well you both can't dance with Ashley," Spencer said never taking her eyes off her wife.

"Ha, ha Spencer," Arthur laughed. "Ashley may I steal your wife away for a father daughter dance."

"Yes you may Arthur but only because my dad wants to dance with me, otherwise I would be hard pressed to let her go even if you are her father and my boss," Ashley said with her nose crinkling smile. Spencer reluctantly left Ashley's embrace to dance with her father while Ashley danced with hers.

"You looked absolutely beautiful today Ashley and I was very proud to walk you down the aisle and give you away to Spencer."

"Thanks dad, I'm so happy that you and mom are supportive of my marriage to Spencer. I know you weren't in the beginning. Well mom was but you… needed convincing."

"Yes I did but I've gotten to know Spencer and I can see she loves you very very much. I have to admit I didn't see that when you were with Tony and I apologize for giving Spencer such a hard time." Raife was quiet for a moment.

"What is it daddy, what's going on in that head of yours?"

"Princess…" Raife said hesitating, "princess you need to reconcile with your sister."

"Dad… no, I don't trust Kyla right now. Even after all Spencer and I have done to keep her out of prison, she still wanted to stab me in the back."

"Please Ashley for your old man's sake. I can't stand to have my two daughters not speaking to each other. She should have been your bridesmaid today or at least here to see you get married and enjoy the reception with our family and friends but you didn't even invite her. Please resolve this."

Ashley was silent for a few moments, glancing in Spencer's direction, watching her dance with Arthur.

"Alright I'll see what my feelings are after Spencer and I return from our honeymoon."

"Thank you Princess, that's all I ask," he said placing a lingering kiss on his daughter's forehead.

/

"Spencer you looked beautiful today."

"Thank you dad, I was a little nervous. When I saw Ashley coming down the aisle… I..I just lost it. She looked so beautiful, I was awestruck."

"Yes Spencer I think everybody knows now the effect Ashley has on you," Arthur said chuckling.

"Laugh all you want, I don't care because I'm so happy right now. I'm finally married to the person who holds my heart. I can't believe it has finally happened," Spencer said smiling.

"I'm glad you're happy but I need to talk to you before you leave for Spain."

"You're talking to me now dad."

"No Spencer, in private with your brothers and your wife present."

"Why what's going on?" Spencer asked.

"I can't talk about it here, that's why I delayed your plane flight until later tonight."

"Dad!" Spencer whined.

"Spencer I told you last night we were going to have this meeting. You will have plenty of time to be with Ashley. We need to talk before you leave. I've arranged for the limo to take you and Ashley home instead of driving you directly to the airport. I've already alerted your brothers to come over to your place immediately after the reception."

"Fine whatever, if that's all I'm going to go back to my wife and dance with her."

"Alright Spencer."

/

Finally arriving back at their loft Spencer and Ashley went to their bedroom to change and wait for Arthur, Glen and Clay to arrive.

"Ashley do you know what my dad wants to talk about?"

"No Spencer I haven't got a clue. He said nothing about needing to meet last week."

"Knowing my dad, it's probably some stupid shit about the company. Why can't he wait until we come back from our honeymoon to have this meeting?" Spencer whined, as she wrapped her arms around Ashley's waist nuzzling her wife's neck, biting lightly.

"Mmm, Spencer," Ashley moaned tilting her head slightly giving access, "don't start what we won't have time to finish."

"You're doing a terrible job of stopping me my love and we have plenty of time for me to ravish you and that's what I'm going to do if my father and brothers don't get here in the next five minutes… cockblockers."

Ashley laughed, "don't you mean pussyblockers sweetie.

"Whatever Ashley, all I know is they're blocking me from making love to my wife. I love the sound of that… my wife."

Ding, dong…

"Finally they're here," Spencer said as she hurried to the door to let them in. "Okay so we're all here, what is it that needed to be discussed before I went on my honeymoon with my beautiful wife," Spencer said raising Ashley's hand to her lips placing a kiss on it.

"Aw come on Spencer what's your hurry. It's not like you haven't been fuc…"

"Glen!" Arthur shouted interrupting his son. Spencer glared at him angrily.

"Uh… nevermind," he said looking down finding the floor more interesting. "Let's just get on with this meeting."

"Thank you Glen," Spencer said sharply.

Geez I can't even tease my little sis anymore, Glen thought.

"Spencer I waited to have this meeting because I wanted to give you time to think about what I'm going to say while you're on your honeymoon." Spencer looked at Ashley who just shrugged her shoulders.

Arthur paced the floor for several minutes before speaking than stood directly in front of his daughter. "When you come back from your honeymoon I want you to take on more responsibility of the business."

"What do you mean more responsibility?" Spencer asked eyeing her father suspiciously.

Arthur rubbed the back of his neck trying to relieve the stress he always got when talking to his daughter about the company. He knew she didn't want to be a part of the family business but he felt out of his three siblings she was the best to handle the job and the problems that came along with it should he not be around to handle it. "Spencer…"

"Why… for what reason dad? Don't I have enough responsibility keeping 'the family business' out of the news."

"You have been doing a great job with public relations Spencer but I want you to get more detail oriented, more familiar in what makes the family business work."

"Why…"

"Well I've been thinking a lot about my mortality and…"

"Your mortality? What do you mean dad, are you dying or something?"

"No Spencer I am not dying."

"Then why are you talking about mortality. Are you stepping down, has someone threatened you, what's really going on?"

"Spencer please let me finish, I think it's time for at least one of my children to learn what I know and that child is you Spencer and your brothers agree. I want you to eventually take over the head of Carlin Enterprises." Spencer opened her mouth to speak but Arthur raised his hand to silence his daughter.

"Spencer this has been on my mind since your shooting. It got me thinking, if something should happen to me what would happen to the business. I want someone who has personal interest in whether Carlin Enterprises continues to succeed or fail and my choice is you."

"Since my shooting… how does my shooting and your mortality add up to more responsibility for me?"

"Your shooting showed me that you can't take anyday for granted. I… we need to be prepared for anything if something should happen at a moments notice."

"So by learning the business, you mean Carlin Enterprises or the other business?"

"They go hand in hand Spencer."

"No way, get Glen or Clay to take over. They've been at it a lot longer than I have and they know the ins and out, I know nothing. No, I don't want that responsibility. I was never even supposed to work at Carlin Enterprises. What the fuck dad."

"Spencer… language," Ashley chastised.

"Sorry love, but you know how I feel about the business. I won't do it," Spencer shouted now standing in front of her father.

"Spencer, sweetheart calm down and let Arthur finish," Ashley pleaded, rubbing up and down Spencer's back to calm her. "Sit down sweetie."

"Thank you Ashley," Arthur said. "Now Spencer I know how you feel about the family business but you are a Carlin and this is what we do. You have proven to me that you are capable of handling any situation that becomes a threat."

"Proven what and when did I do that? I've done nothing to prove I'm worthy of sitting in your chair."

"The situation with Edward and his sister, the shooting…"

"Dad what has that have to do with running the business," Spencer asked interrupting her father. "None of those incidents have anything to do with how the business is run."

"I know that sweetheart, it's the way you handled yourself with each situation. Even when you were critically wounded you kept a cool head."

"Dad I thought I was going to die and I wanted to make sure Ashley was going to be taken care of and I didn't handle the Felicia issue well at all. If I had listened to Ashley maybe we wouldn't have had to go through some of that shit."

"That's what I mean Spencer, even when things looked it bleakest you still thought about how to handle the situation. The Felicia problem was handled, nothing else needs to be said about it." Arthur explained.

"But dad I don't know anything."

"You will learn everything from me and Ashley will help you. She knows the business almost as well as I do. I don't know what I would do without her."

Spencer looked at her brothers, "I thought Glen and Clay were being groomed to run the company."

"No Spencer you were always the one I wanted to run Carlin Enterprises. Your brothers will continue to do what they do best and that's protecting the Carlin interests."

"Dad I don't know," Spencer said shaking her head negatively.

"Spencer the decision is made. I just wanted you to be prepared. You will take my place as head of Carlin Enterprises when the time comes. I want you to start learning all the aspects of the business as soon as possible."

Spencer looked at her wife, "Ashley you cannot possibly agree with this."

"Spencer I am behind you in whatever you do. We don't have to discuss this now. So much has happened today, the wedding, the reception and now this. Let's just get to Spain, so we can relax and talk about what's expected of you once we get back. Can we do that sweetie?" Ashley caressed her wife's cheek and gave her a chaste kiss on her lips.

"Whatever," Spencer said defeated.

"Right… so go on your honeymoon and enjoy yourselves. See all the sights you missed the last time you were there. When you come back home we will get started on your training." Spencer rose from her seat and walked to her bedroom, not even so much as a see ya to her father and brothers.

"Arthur was it wise of you to tell Spencer what's expected of her today of all days? Couldn't you have waited until we got back?"

"No Ashley she needed to know now, she needs to prepare herself. I knew she would be difficult and not take my decision well. So I'm depending on you to get Spencer's head in the right place." Ashley blushed. "You know what I mean Ashley but if that's what it takes for her to take over the business without feeling forced, use it."

"Arthur are you serious? You want me to seduce my wife so she does not feel force into taking over the company."

"Yes if that's what it takes. Ashley it's up to you to convince Spencer to become more involved in the business…willingly."

"Alright Arthur I'll do what I can but you know how stubborn Spencer can be."

"Yes I know and I know you can convince her. I'll see you both back in two weeks." Ashley nodded.

"Come on Glen, Clay I think we've stayed long enough. Ashley you have three hours before the limo picks you up to take you and Spencer to the private hangar at the airport, maybe you should get started on that matter."

"We'll see you in two weeks Arthur."

After Arthur and Spencer's brothers left Ashley made her way to their bedroom.

"Are they gone," Spencer asked sitting on the edge of the bed.

"Yes sweetie," Ashley replied.

"I can't believe my father. Why does he keep insisting that I learn about the business when I don't want to and why didn't he just wait until we got back to tell me his plan. I don't want to think of anything on this honeymoon but you and me. Relaxing and having fun. Damn him!"

"Spencer relax don't think about that now," Ashley said straddling her wife's lap and gently placing short kisses on her lips.

"Mmm your lips taste delicious," Spencer moaned as Ashley pushed her wife's back down against the bed.

A/N: To be continued…